Method of and mold and appliance for the continuous transfer of molten metal



F. B. M KUNE METHOD OF AND MOLD AND APPLIANCE FOR THE Feb. 9 1926.

CONTINUOUS TRANSFER OF MOLTEN METAL Flled Nov 14 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 1 E40] BM XZM Feb. 9 1926. 1,572,865

y F. B. M UNE METHOD OF AND MOLD D APPLIAN FOR THE CONTINUOUS TRANSFER OF MOLTE ETAL Filed Nov 14, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 'fjiqi- INVENTOR Feb. 9 1926.

F. B. M KUNE METHOD OF AND MOLD AND APPLIANCE FOR THE CONTINUOUS TRANSFER OF MOLTEN METAL 7 Filed NOV. 14, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 9,

UNITED stares FRANK B. MCKUNE, OF HAMILTON, OIITAHIQ, CANADA.

METHOD 0 AND MOLD AND APPLIANCE FOR THE CONTINUOUS TRANSFER OF MOLTEN METAL.

Application filed November 14, 1922. Serial No. 600,942. r V

1 0 all whom 2'26 may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. MGKUNE, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Hamilton, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of and Molds and Appliances for the Continuous Transfer of Molten Metal, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the art of metallurgy and especially to that branch which has to deal with the pouring of the molten metal into molds. In the art, as usually practiced, the metal is introduced into the molds one after another until the molds are filled, one following the other.

This method results in segregation and piping because of the difficulty of keeping the top of the metal hot, as the metal after being poured, skins and chills rapidly. It is well known in metallurgy that if the top of the metal can be kept hot, piping and segregation can be largely eliminated. I-Ieretofore hot tops of refractory material have been used in the attempt to prevent piping and segregation and have helped to keep the top of the metal hot. In other cases metallurgists have used a riser or head, and while these methods have helped to reduce the piping they have been troublesome and have not proven satisfactory. In other cases, a mold which has the big end upwards is used, but this practice interferes with the stripping of the metal by the means usually provided for that purpose.

My invention therefore has for its object to provide a method of casting the metal and a mold and transfer spout for use in carrying out this method, whereby the top of the metal in the several molds may all be kept at the proper temperature during the time the metal is being pouredand thereby largely eliminates piping and segregation of the metals, and also this method prevents the metal from cooling off as rapidly as it does in present practice and also prevents seams.

I accomplish the results stated by arranging the molds in series and providing each mold with the proper overflow recess. Supported in the recess, and communicating wlth the chamberof the neXt succeeding mold is a transfer spout, so that by introducto the succeeding molds, filling them in succession until the desired amount of the metal has been poured, thus keeping the top of all of the metal in the moldsat the liquid temperature of the molten material.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a carrying car with a series of molds supported thereon ready to receive the metal;

Figure 2 is a top plan view, the cooling pipe being omitted.

Figure 3 is a detail end elevation of the upper end of one of the molds.

Figure i is a cross section on the line lt of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the transfer spout.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing how the first mold may be bottom poured,

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view showing how the molds may be located when several series radiate from the central or receiving mold.

Figure 8 is a detail view of a modified form of my invention showing an extension boxing for the molds, the boxing having the slot or slots for the transfer spout.

Figure 9 is a detail elevation showing a double ended orv reversible spout, a modification of the form shown in the preceding figures.

In the drawings, in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, (1) represents the carrying car which carries the usual removable stools (2) on which the molds l) rest. The construction of the molds (4-) essentially, is that of the present day practice, the molds illustrated in the accompanying drawings being those taperingtoward the top, i. c. with the small end at the top and the large end at the bottom, although my invention is applicable to molds having the big end upwards as well. In carrying out my invention, according to the embodiment illustrated, the molds are supported in stepped relation. the first and second molds being supported by stool supports (3) which may mold on the car will be elevated above the succeeding molds, the second mold elevated above the third mold, and so on if more than three molds are carried ona car. Thus it 'will be seen that the tops of the several molds (4) are located in different horizontal planes.

Each mold isprovided with properly located recess or recesses in the face or faces of the mold to meet conditions of pouring to such a depth that the bottom of the slot will be in approximately the plane of the top of the next adjacent mold. This slot is indicated by (6) in the drawings.

Each mold is provided with the usual lugs (5) by which it may be gripped by the stripping crane,

(7 designates the transfer spout which constitutes an important part of my invention and which is made to fit into the slot (6) of one mold and project over the top edge of the next adjacent mold, the entrant end of the transfer spout fitting in the slot and being provided with raised side walls, at (10) that project above the top surfac, of the mold. The transfer spout is provided with ordinary projecting lugs having hooks (9) into which the crane connection may be put for the purpose of lifting the transfer spout off. The transfer spout has for its purpose to convey the metal from one mold to the next succeeding mold. It may be lined with a refractory material (11) which is preferably carried over the end of the spout as at (11 adjacent to the mold from which the metal flows, so as to protect the joint between the mold and spout and enable the casting of the metal free from projections which would interfere with the stripping of the metal from the mold. The end lining prevents anymetal getting into the slot where the transfer box fits as well. as allowing the metal to strip freely from the mold.

In carrying out my method the metal is poured into the first or highest mold. After such mold shall have become filled to a point where the metal I will reach the transfer spout, the metal will flow through the transfer spout into the next succeeding mold and, filling that in the same manner, overflow via the transfer spout to the third mold of the series, etc. In this way the top portions of the metal in the molds are kept at a proper temperature until the desired amount of metal has been poured. In this manner I have succeeded in doing away with the hot tops of refractory. material and various special designs of molds and have succeeded in almost entirely eliminating piping, segregation and seaming of the metal, thereby improving its quality and decreasing scrap losses, i. e. increasing the sound usable metal.

By keeping the top of the metal in the molds at the proper temperature as stated, the metal is prevented from cooling too rapidly. It is due to the rapid cooling of the metal in the mold, under present day practice, that scams or checks are produced in the metal. I

By providing the molds with the encircling cooling device described it is possible to vary the temperature of the molds, that is to say, the molds will be cooled more at the lower portions and while the top is allowedto be kept warm. In this way the chilling of the lower portions of the molds results in a. corresponding chilling of the lower portions of the contents of the mold and allows the top portion to remain hot. This assists in eliminating piping.

The molds may also be provided with means for cooling, especially the lower portion thereof, so as to equalize the cooling of the metal from the bottom upward, thereby avoiding checking and piping. This may be done by encircling the molds with pipes to direct streams of a cooling medium, such as air, steam or water, upon the outside of the molds.

Furthermore by using a tapered mold having the smaller end at the top, as here shown, (which is a type of mold used in general practice) my method does not change the practice from whatit is at the present day. After the metal is poured, by taking hold of the transfer spout with the crane or any other lifting means and lifting the spout any of the metal that is in the transfer spout is freed. This prevents the metal from having any obstructions which would interfere with its ready removal from the mold.

Again, by the use of my invention, as soon as all of the metal has been poured into the molds more or less slag can be run into the molds in the same manner as the metal, until a layer of slag is deposited over the metal in the several molds. This will aid in preventing the too sudden cooling of the top of the metal and assist in keeping the same in a liquid state.

The location of the lifting hooks, with relation to the center of gravity of the transfer spout, may be such that in lifting the transfer spout it will be given a slight incline as it is lifted, thus causing any metal which may he collected in the spout to run into the m id and thereby prevent spattering or spilling of the metal in removing the transfer spout.

The molds may have a plurality of slots (6) so as to direct the overflow several ways into several series of molds radiating therefrom.

While I, at present, prefer to place the molds shown and heretofore described, it may be found desirable to carry out my method by locating the molds at a common Ill) level, the metal being introduced into one of the molds and the overflow transferred to succeeding molds as before described, the spouts being located, of course, with their passage-ways somewhat lower than the top of the molds.

In Figure 8 I have shown a modification of the molds in which they are provided with boxings or hot tops t of the usual refractory material, which ho-xings have vertical slots (5 corresponding in purpose and function to the slots 6 in the molds.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought the construction, operation of the apparatus employed and the complete carrying out of the method, which consti t-utes a part of my present invent-ion, will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

What I claim is: i

1. The method of casting metal ingots which comprises filling a mold with molten metal, chilling a portion of the molten metal in the mold, and maintaining hot another portion of the molten metal in the mold, by flowing a stream of fresh molten metal across the last mentioned portion.

2. The method of casting steel ingots which comprises filling a mold with molten steel, chilling the steel in contact with the mold walls at one place, and maintaining a portion of the steel in the mold hot at another place by causing a stream of fresh molten steel to pass through the said portion of molten steel in the mold and then out of the mold.

3. A series of molds with transfer spouts for conveying the overflow material from one mold to another mold of the series, means for delivering the molten material into the first mold of the series, and means for applying a cooling medium outside to a portion of the molds to cool the same while maintaining a portion of the steel in the molds hot in another portion of the molds.

4. A series of molds, means for pouring the molten metal into one of said molds and means for conveying the metal that overflows from that mold successively to other molds adjacent so that the tops of the metal in the molds will be kept at fluid heat, and means for applying a cooling medium to the outside of the lower portion of the molds to cool the lower portion of the ingots while. the tops are kept hot.

5. A mold having a slot in its side through which excess metal may flow, a transfer spout set in said slot to receive the excess metal and deliver it fro-m the mold, and a refractory covering for the channel of the spout and the portion of the end face of the spout which is presented to the metal in the mold.

6. A mold having a slot in its side through which excess metal may flow, transfer spout set in said slot to receive theexcess metal and deliver it from the mold, and lifting hooks on the spout by means of which it may be lifted from the mold. T

7. A mold having a slot in its side through which excess metal may flow, a transfer spout set in said slot to receive the excess metal and deliver it from the mold, and lifting hooks on the spout by means of which it 713 may be lifted from the mold, said hooks be ing arranged with relation tothe center of gravity of the transfer spout so that when said transfer spout is lifted it will remove all metal from the slot above the bottom thereof, said slot being open at the top to permit lifting the spout.

S. A mold having a slot in its side through which excess metal may flow, and a transfer spout set in said slot to receive the excess metal and deliver it from the mold, said spout having lifting hooks so arranged with relation to the center of gravity of the transfer spout as to tilt the spout forwardly when the spout is lifted out of the slot and thereby pour any metal left in the spout into one of the molds adjacent thereto.

9. The method of filling molds which consists in pouring the metal into one of the, molds and transferring the overflow therefrom to other molds in succession and then, on completion of the heat, covering the metal in the molds with the molten slag.

10. The method of filling molds which consists in pouring the metal into a series of molds then pouring the. slag into one mold and causing it to overflow int-o the other IEIIOldS to cover the metal with a. protecting .lm. i

11. The method of filling molds which consists in pouring the molt-en metal into a mold, until it overflows, directing the overflow into a series of adjacent molds and con tinuing the pouring operation until a film of slag is deposited over the metal in the molds.

12. A mold having a slot in its side adj acent to the top through which excess meta-l may flow, and a transfer spout set in said slot to receive the excess metal and deliver it from the mold, said spout having provision whereby it may be lifted while the metal in the mold is still plastic, to clear any excess overflow metal from the ingot in the mold to allow free stripping of the ingot.

13. A mold having a slot in its side adja- 199 cent the top through which excess metal may flow, a transfer spout set in said slot to receive the excess metal and deliver it from the mold, and means on the spout by means of w iich it may be lifted from the mold.

14-. A mold having a. slot and a transfer spout set in said slot, said spout having a brick lining.

15. A mold having a slot and a transfer. spout set in said slot, said spout having, at 139 its receiving end, a refractory covering for the face of the spout adjacent the moldcavits receiving end, a refractory covering for the face of the spout adjacent the mold cavity, said covering projecting over the. said face of the spout to overlie the joint between the mold and spout.

17 A transfer spout, a refractory lining for the passageway of the spout, a refractory covering for the receiving end face of the spout Which projects laterally there beyond, said spout adapted to fit into the slot of an ingot mold and said projecting portion of said covering being adapted to overlie the joint between the mold and spout for the purposes described.

18. A transfer spout having lifting hooks on projections extending from its sides by means of which it may be lifted from and lowered into the molds.

19. A transfer spout adapted to set into a slotted feeder to receive the excess metal from a mold and deliver it from a mold, lifting hooks on thespout by means of which it may be lifted from the mold, said hooks being arranged with relation to the center of gravity of the transfer spout so that When said transfer spout is lifted it will clear itself of metal for the purposes described.

F. B. MoKUNE. 

